For the intro, Danny positioned the videographer behind Arthur’s shoulder. They shot the film’s editor making his final adjustments to the mixing board, then using the arthritic fingers of his right hand to count in the band.
When you put your arms around me, I get a fever that’s so hard to bear.The lighting was as sultry as the song. Two brilliant spots were positioned on Connor’s face and the keyboard. Another spot on the heart of Ian’s guitar. One on the snare drum, touched by the feather strokes of the wire brushes. One on the bass player’s right hand. One on the sax—the instrument, not the man.
The three ladies Danny had lined up behind the piano, almost beyond the spots’ reach. They swayed in unison, one large amorphous mass, joined together by the song’s gentle heat.
Connor almost moaned the wordsYou give me fever.
In response, the ladies shouted a one-word chorus.
Fever.
The second time, their cry was matched by the sax and Ian and the bassist and the drummer. All of them adding their own thumping emphasis to the word.
Fever.
Second stanza, the trio clicked fingers and came as close as they could without moving to a full-body strut.
Fever.
The beat rose to a grinding force. Connor’s voice was now a controlled shout of pure, unadulterated lust.You bring me . . .
Fever.
Ian then played the solo that had originally been played by a trumpet. As he started, the spot on his instrument broadened to where his entire body became illuminated. Midway through, the sax entered, and they began alternating the lead, racing each other through faster and faster riffs, until the ladies halted them with the passion and the harmony of that one incredible word.
Fever.
The next stanza had Pocahontas saving her lover from her father’s wrath. But now the trio sang it, each one taking a line, almost bellowing it with the sheer joy of saving the man. Connor added his soft backup, then joined with them to plead in intense harmony for her lover’s life.
Fever.
The room stopped. Took a silent breath lasting three impossibly long beats. Then Connor came back in alone for the final verse.
The final chorus was their first time singing in tandem. A magnificent harmony.
Ian was genuinely sorry when it ended.
Two more takes and Danny declared, “I have all I need. Arthur?”
“I suppose it wasn’t overly off-key.”
Danny grinned at Connor. “You heard the old man. That’s a wrap.”
